ERP in Public Sector Oman - Essay Example

Ethical, Legal and Professional Considerations in Conducting Research of Implementation of ERP in Public Sector Oman Ethical, Legaland Professional Considerations in Conducting Research of Implementation of ERP in Public Sector Oman Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a system that involves planning and managing of the entire organization’s resources in the most efficient, productive, and profitable manner. It allows an organization to run a synchronized configuration that strategically connects all aspects of business (Barker & Frolick, 2013). Oman is a one of the Arab counties found in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The research that I conducted concerning the implementation of ERP in its public sector. Here, I considered several factors, ranging from ethical issues, to professional and legal issue. This paper discusses some other issues that I encountered while conducting interviews and surveys. ERP implementation involves a transformation in handling of information and the general operations of an institution for improvement of performance (Zairi and Sinclair, 1995, p. 8). One ethical issue expected to occur during the implementation is the resistance to change by a section of employees in the affected company in Oman, and in some cases, the top management (Nah & Lau, 2001, p. 291). Readiness for transformation strategy plays an important role in handling resistance to change and this further reduces the rate of failure of ERP implementation. An ideological change from the top management is most likely to boost positive perception. Indeed, a positive outlook by employees is most likely to enhance an organization’s change that will make them more willing to try out a new system (Kwahk & Lee, 2008, p. 475). The expected technical changes that will result from ERP will be received without uncertainty if this factor is put in place. Furthermore, the top management’s commitment is crucial for the overall success of the ERP implementation process. In a survey carried out in MADAR, an efficient ideological change management was identified an influence to success in ERP system provided technology, employees and processes were integrated properly in the implementation of the ERP system (Al-Shamlan1 & Al-Mudimigh, 2011, p. 400). Vulnerable individuals such as the under age, old people, the mentally handicapped, the sick are ethically entitled to special considerations against discrimination, abuse, deception or even exploitation. In the conduct of research, the issue of ethical obligation to this category of the public demands a well planed method to protect their interests, reactions, and suggestions about the ERP implementation in Oman public sector. Another ethical issue expected in this research is the circumstances where the interviewee expects or goes to an extent of requesting special services or bribery; some even ask for monetary assistance in return for their participation in the research. This is illegal and it brings about conflict of interest, as the information given will most likely be questionable. Oman is country which is part of the expansive Arab states in the Maghreb region; traditionally, it has been using the Sharia law as part of its judicial system to govern and rule over its subjects and government operations as a whole. One of the branches of its judicial systems is the restriction it has placed on social interactions between men and women. The social segregation according to sex has made men largely prohibited from women’s realms, and vice versa. This is most likely to create difficulties in collecting data if the information has to come from a member of the opposite sex. Another legal factor that may be considered during my research is the issue of justice and fairness for all respondents. The existence of restrictions that socially bars men and women from free interaction publicly is most likely to raise the issue of discrimination in interviewing the respondents; men are more likely to interview only men and vice versa. This, to an effect, brings the issue of imbalance to the type of information received during the survey. However, free and informed consent of the respondents will ensure their rights are upheld and not infringed upon. This is most likely to enhance voluntary, comprehensive, and knowledge about the research. The nature of the research and the procedures to be used should be sufficiently provided to the respondent. The researcher should be in a position to highlight the objectives of the study, potential risks and benefits, and any alternative treatments in advance to the respondent. Professional issues that may occur while conducting research for the implementation of ERP in Oman are several. Educated expertise with knowledge related to ERP implementation might become an impediment to my research. ERP implementation involves integrated planning and dissemination of data, inventory management, manufacturing, and product planning. It also requires a group of educated experts who are well-versed with knowledge as required. This is a problem I expect to encounter in Oman, as there is likely to be a small group of informed individual scarcely distributed within locations in Oman, or a significant number all together working within the same environment. This, in most cases, will interfere with the type of information collected in the interview, as most of the respondents will give information that is similar to their counterparts. The scarcely populated respondents will most probably bring the problem of time and increase in expenses brought about by incessant movement. Privacy and confidentiality as professional issue is also one of the things the interviewees are entitled to, and it should be assured in advance to foster the protection of their personal and sensitive data. The interviewees have the right to decide the time, extent, and circumstances through which they will withhold or decide to share their information. Standards required for privacy and confidentiality in the protection of access and transfer of personal information should be strictly followed as they upholds the integrity of research, hence avoiding psychological and mental unrest of effects of careless handling. Another phenomena related to this is where friendships are formed between the interviewer and the interviewee. This possibility creates a conflict of interest where professionalism is concerned. Barnett & Cason (2010) state that, when the interviewee confuses the relationship of the researcher being a friend whereas the fact is that, he/she is just a professional researcher, the issue of confidentiality and betrayal becomes insurmountably complicated (Barnett & Cason, 2010, p. 64). In conclusion, several recommendations can be taken care of to enhance the success of the implementation of ERP in Oman. These include reviewing of laws that prohibit interactions between opposite sex, a factor that will enhance a wider dissemination of information, provision of adequate information about ERP implementation to the public, strengthening privacy and confidentiality laws in data storage and retention, and improving ethical environment with norms that are just while enhancing human rights across the board. References Al-Shamlan1, H., & Al-Mudimigh, A. (2011). The Chang Management Strategies and Processes for Successful ERP Implementation: A Case Study of MADAR. International Journal of Computer Science Issues, 8(2), 1694-0814. Barker, T., & Frolick, M. (2003). Information system management fall- ERP-Implementation Failure: A Case study. Retrieved from http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/nsutcliffe/570-00curr/erp_implementfailure.pdf. Barnett, C., & Cason, J. (2010). Overseas Research II: A Practical Guide. London, England: Routledge. Kwahk, K., & Lee, J. (2008). The role of readiness for change in ERP implementation: Theoretical bases and empirical validation. Information & Management Journal, 45(7), 474–481. Nah, F., & Lau, J. (2001). Critical factors for successful implementation of enterprise Systems. Business Process Management Journal, 7(3), 285-296. Zairi, M., & Sinclair. D. (1995). Business process re-engineering and process management: A survey of current practice and future trends in integrated management. Business Process Re-engineering & Management Journal, 1(1), 8 – 30. Read More